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Triathlons and other outdoor sports - why they're getting as popular as the gym If you've ever signed up for a gym, only to discover that your enthusiasm wanes just a few weeks later, then you may need something a little more challenging.

Apparently, people all over the country are now cancelling their expensive gym memberships in a bid to take to the great outdoors and find a form of exercise that really motivates them.

Steve Halsall, the Mirror's Body Whisperer, said that in the months since the recession hit the UK and eventually receded, he has seen a growing number of people doing this as a way of saving money and connecting with Britain's green spaces, rather than pounding the treadmill in an air-conditioned room.

And it's not just traditional forms of exercise such as jogging and swimming that are seeing a resurgence. Instead, adventurous Britons are embracing high impact sports like triathlons to keep them fit and boost their wellbeing.

However, while some people may be slightly nervous at the idea of taking part in such activities, Women's Fitness magazine insists that triathlons are actually great fun and not just for the super-fit.

"Triathlons come in a variety of distances and with races starting from swim 400m, bike 10km and run 2.5km, anyone can get involved," its website states.

If this still doesn't sound exciting enough, then you may benefit from military-style exercise courses run by former members of the Armed Forces.

Based on demand from people who prefer to be outside doing exercise than cooped up indoors, British Military Fitness (BMF) has created classes which you can now do in 50 parks in 24 cities across the UK.

Designed to provide motivation and prevent boredom, they will provide a cardiovascular workout through team games, circuits and strength work that you participate in based on your own ability.

Again, the BMF website states that you don't have to be super-fit to join in - and the first session is free, meaning you can try it once to see if it's for you or not before committing.

Whatever kind of exercise you do, even if it is just a simple run or walk in the park, Steve Halsall said it can only be a good thing if it gets more people outdoors.

"Keeping it going is the thing. Setting goals and keeping your goals is very important," he commented.

And that's much easier to do if you're not counting the minutes until you can go back home.
Give it a try - get out there, get inspired and best of all, get fit without getting bored.